Cigar Review: Davidoff Maxamar 15th Anniversary Exclusive

Vitola: Toro
Size: 6″ x 50 ring gauge
Price $22.00
Purchased at Maxamar’s

Background

Over 15 years ago Max and Ammar opened up a cigar shop in Orange, California.  Today it has grown to one of the largest cigar stores in Southern California.  The shop has grown over the years and even started an online arm in 2012, SmallBatchCigar.com.  Since Davidoff started the Golden Band awards in 2012 they have won twice and are a large Davidoff retailer.  They were able to create a limited edition anniversary cigar with them.  The cigar is comprised of fillers from the Dominican Republic & Nicaragua, a Mexico Negro San Andres binder with a Ecuadorian Habano wrapper.  They come in one size and in a 10 count box.  This was the second one of these I was able to smoke.

Prelight

The wrapper on this sample is a medium dark brown in color with a good amount of tooth and oils to it.  The top band is the the same as on their other limited editions with the second band saying that it is an anniversary, however it doesn’t say the shop name.  When I gave the cigar a squeeze it was fairly firm and without any soft spots.  When I put the cigar to my nose to the wrapper I got the aroma of leather, with cocoa and raisins coming from the foot.  After clipping it and taking a cold draw on it I got a good draw with notes of cedar, sweetness and salt.

Flavor

It starts off with a good amount of wasabi like spice on the retrohale and flavors of leather, wood, coffee, earth and hints of cinnamon.  The cigar starts off medium full strength.  I did notice that the side of my tongue started to tingle and I noted a savory flavor as I got into the cigar.  When I got into the second third the strength built to the bottom end of full.  The flavors were pretty similar, wood, earth, coffee and leather.  The spice was still there but not as strong as the first third.  The final third definitely moved into full strength and I did get a slight nicotine hit from it as well.  The flavors I noted were leather, earth, coffee and a sweet finish.  The spice did built a bit but wasn’t as strong as the first third.

Construction

As you would think of Davidoff and a cigar of this price the construction was great.

Value

While not the cheapest cigar, it is very reasonable for a limited edition cigar from Davidoff.

Conclusions

This is definitely a strong cigar and a little different than a normal Davidoff cigar.  The cigar might be too much for some, but it wasn’t too strong.  I definitely enjoyed this cigar and will pick up a couple to see what they’re like with some age on them.  If you’re interested in trying this very limited cigar you can head over to our sponsor SmallBatchCigar.com to pick some up.

By-The-Numbers

Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9.5/10